Compromise reached on ACA contraceptive requirement

President Obama announced Friday a compromise to a proposed rule that would have required religion-affiliated organization to include free contraceptive services in their health plans (Source: “White House compromise still guarantees contraceptive coverage for women,” Washington Post, Feb. 10,  2012).

Under the new proposed rule, religiously affiliated employers do not have to offer contraceptive services in their insurance plan. However, employees will have the option to obtain a free contraceptive plan directly from their insurer.

“After many genuine concerns were raised over the last few weeks — and the more cynical desire to make this into political football — it became clear that spending months hammering out a solution was not an option; we had to move this faster,” Obama said.